Esther, HWV50a (Handel)
from Handel: Esther (CKD397)
1 Andante [1'58]
2 Larghetto [2'35]
3 Allegro [2'27]
4 'Tis greater far to spare, than to destroy (Habdonah/Haman) [0'41]
5 Pluck root and branch from out the land (Haman) [1'59]
6 Our souls with ardour glow (Officer) [0'07]
7 Shall we the God of Israel fear? [1'51]
8 Now persecution shall lay by her iron rod (1st Israelite) [0'16]
9 Tune your harps to cheerful strains (1st Israelite) [4'21]
10 Shall we of servitude complain? [1'24]
11 O God, who from the suckling's mouth (Israelite Boy) [0'16]
12 Praise the Lord with cheerful noise (Israelite Boy) [5'38]
13 Shall we of servitude complain? [1'24]
14 How have our sins provok'd the Lord! (Priest of the Israelites) [1'05]
15 Ye sons of Israel mourn [1'52]
16 O Jordan, Jordan, sacred tide (Priest of the Israelites) [7'42]
17 Ye sons of Israel mourn [2'01]
18 Why sits that sorrow on thy brow? (Esther/Mordecai) [1'02]
19 Dread not, righteous Queen, the danger (Mordecai) [4'25]
20 I go before the King to stand (Esther) [0'13]
21 Tears assist me, pity moving (Esther) [2'50]
22 Save us, O Lord [1'27]
23 Who dares intrude into our presence without our leave? (Assuerus/Esther) [1'09]
24 Who calls my parting soul from death? (Esther/Assuerus) [2'46]
25 O beauteous Queen, unclose those eyes! (Assuerus) [7'18]
26 If I find favour in thy sight (Esther) [0'20]
27 How can I stay, when love invites? (Assuerus) [3'09]
28 With inward joy his visage grows (1st Israelite/2nd Israelite) [0'16]
29 Virtue, truth, and innocence [2'43]
30 Jehovah crown'd with glory bright (Priest of the Israelites) [1'58]
31 He comes, he comes to end our woes [4'17]
32 Now, O Queen, thy suit declare (Assuerus/Esther) [1'38]
33 Turn not, O Queen, thy face away (Haman) [2'36]
34 Flatt'ring tongue, no more I hear thee! (Esther) [4'52]
35 Guards, seize the traitor, bear him hence! (Assuerus) [0'40]
36 How art thou fall'n from thy height! (Haman) [6'10]
37 The Lord our enemy has slain [11'57]
99 minutes 23 seconds 37 tracks
'So much in Butt's carefully prepared performance feels exactly right' (Gramophone)
BBC Music Magazine
'The Dunedin Consort perform as a tight and capable band and Butt once again has proved himself the master of dramatic pacing. Thoroughly recommended' (Early Music Review)